HBO plans streaming service for viewers without cable or satellite

HBO is planning a stand-alone streaming service direct to internet customers from next year, taking a giant step towards breaking the pay-TV bundle that has been a cornerstone of the industry for more than 25 years.

HBO chief executive Richard Plepler made the announcement at parent company Time Warner's investor day in New York, explaining that the new service would be aimed at consumers without a cable or satellite subscription, who have not been able to watch the premium channel - famous for shows like Game of Thrones and The Wire - until now.

HBO's service is currently available only to subscribers of pay-TV packages. But growing competition and changing consumer viewing behaviour has forced HBO into a rethink.

The company doesn't want to get left behind as audiences migrate to the internet and streaming-only services such as Netflix to consume much of their entertainment.

Plepler said the move would be "transformative for our company" by delivering the HBO service directly to consumers.

"Currently there are 10 million broadband-only homes in the US," Plepler said.